| what size |
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.99.25.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 04-18-09 22:40
im buying a new pair of skis this year,but not sure what size. im 510 and my skis now are 164but in france and bulgaria this year i noticed alot of instructors this year on much shorter skis for their hight. I was just wondering the pros and cons? |
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Author : Pamporovo Pete (---.proxy.aol.com)
posts : 13588
Date : 04-19-09 01:41
As a rule of thumb, skis should touch the end of your nose when stood up on end.
Not very scientific, but a good basic guide.
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 04-19-09 11:34
What a can of worms to open !!!
As a very basic guide... GS (giant slalom) skis designed for longer radius turns at speed tend to be a little longer, if carver style will be around `nose' length.
Slalom skis if carver style for tighter slower turns will be around your chin, these will not be so stable at speed...
There are the exceptions, and these now are many with the introduction of twin tips, park, all mountain, slalom X, comp etc...
As a rule of thumb from the old days and im assuming this still applies... the longer the ski the more stable, but more difficult to turn, the shorter the ski the less stable but easier to turn...
I may be dispelling my own advice though, have just taught my son to ski on 185cm all mountain twin tips, who after just a few hours was carving long radius turns in complete control, granted the skis were perfect for the soft slushy conditions
Actually, completely ignore my advice, buy em if you like the colour hehehehehe, thats what my mates girlfriend did.....  |
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Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.sgyl.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 310
Date : 04-19-09 15:55
You certainly have opened a can of worms, with carving skis a good rule of thumb is up to your nose, if there not it carving skis it really depends on your ability. |
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Author : jimbobski (---.ppphg-02-brnt.dial.ntli.net)
posts : 108
Date : 04-19-09 18:28
thanks people, i have carvers at the moment but been told i need anew pair because they have to much flex in,and the edges dont grip on the icy steep runs. just wondering why some of the instuctors were opting for short skis? im high inter/advance |
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 04-19-09 21:56
Holding on ice is more about your technique than your skis, a very flexy short carver will undoubtably not hold as well as a stiff carver, especially a slalom.... but you must work harder to get the slalom to turn well, and it will definately be more unstable at speed because of its tendancy to hook... Always a compromise |
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.32.24.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 04-20-09 00:20
cheers steve c
i have a pair of blizzard cross carvers,nice skis very light good off piste.my father has a pair of apachie k2.ive skied on both. both same length!im not fast enought for slamom,just dunno what skis to look at now, |
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 04-20-09 08:03
jimbobski, im thinking you have the same ski as i have used, the Blizzard Cross X in a 166cm, green and white with integral binding ??
If this is your ski then i can tell you that they are quite stiff and should hold on ice quite well. They are not a full blown race slalom but they are still a race ski, ski cross where 4 people go head to head on a winding course. They have quite a radical sidecut for quick turns but are a little softer in the tail to cope with the type of turns and jumps they will encounter on a course.
See if you can get a ride on a race slalom, maybe the Rossignol Radical RS or the latest version of the Volkl Racetiger SL, a very stiff ski...
Maybe ski them in a slightly longer length as you will not be racing, 168-170, they are going to be a little unweildy and may require a bit of work but the rewards will be many, especially in the rebound off a turn. It will be a pure piste ski and on that basis great for what its designed to do. You could then set yourself up with a decent pair of all-mountain twintips, if your into off-piste then in a long length, and you will discover how much you were struggling with the blizzards.
I read somewhere that a skier had said `you would not go onto a golf course with one club' , well, its the same with skis, you either accept a compromise in a ski for all conditions, or you buy a couple pairs of skis suited to the conditions you want to ski... |
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Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.sgyl.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 310
Date : 04-20-09 10:55
Carvers we not designed for ice, they give a much better performance on nice powdered snow. |
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Author : fraser (---.forallhlchlc.org)
posts : 617
Date : 04-20-09 11:44
skiis are the tools, technique is what gets you over ice, afterall if youve got the money you can buy an F1 car, doesnt mean you can drive it.! |
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 04-20-09 13:05
Wise words Fras
Errr Gogs, `carvers were (im assuming ??) not designed for ice' ?? , very sweeping statement, as virtually all skis today are of a carver style. No recreational ski has been designed for ice but it is a fact that you will get better edge hold with some skis than others due to their torsional rigidity and flex. I accept that skis will give a better perfomance on nice powdered snow, but give me the choice of my slalom carvers and my 195cm twin tip fatties on an icey black ?? slalom carvers every time... |
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Author : Gogs (---.cable.ubr02.sgyl.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 310
Date : 04-20-09 13:16
Carvers were designed to allow skiers with not such good technique to carve out their turns. With the design of the carving ski you can see that it curves in from both ends thus when you hit ice not so much of the edge is actually in contact with the ground, thus making it harder to get your edges in.
Carving ski are great on powder snow, but hit ice and ideal take a set of olds style skis anyday.
BTW I've got carvers myself. |
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 04-20-09 13:26
and Gogs, i'm not having a go, your definately right about technique  even with a stiff slalom carver poor technique will still have you struggling, maybe even more so.... |
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Author : fraser (---.forallhlchlc.org)
posts : 617
Date : 04-20-09 18:34
actually carvers were designed to allow shorter/tighter turns, not to aid less skilled skiers, thats why when they first appeared the skiers using the new carvers swept the board at the olympics and the world cup races, and is why sales for the 'older style' died practically overnight!!!  as for being rigid, the new style multi material strengthened skiis are a lot more rigid than the old style 'wood only' skiis. (to overcome less length.. now where have i heard that before) |
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.156.64.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 04-20-09 22:28
they are red ane white steve c, the bloke who waxes our skis every year told me its time to change! his 72 now and slowing abit but still a good instructor/tour organiser {wish i knew him a few years back} gogs have you skied on a shorter ski? |
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Author : sam (---.12-1.cable.virginmedia.com)
posts : 4244
Date : 04-20-09 22:50
The Shorter the ski the easier it is turn. In Canda they have shorter skis in a lot of the ski schools for this reason. Depends on what you want from your skis. My husband has slowly reduced the length of his skis and is now on a 175cm ski hes an advaced skier, don't think he will go down any further. I ski on a 164cm ski I am 5 foot 8 Have skied on shorter but prefer this size. Possibly trial and error to find one that suits you. |
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Author : jimbobski (---.ppphg-07-manc.dial.ntli.net)
posts : 108
Date : 04-21-09 00:07
thanks sam, so i need three months and a s??t load of skis, ermm i wish. think id better stick between 160-170 any ideas? |
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Author : sam (---.12-1.cable.virginmedia.com)
posts : 4244
Date : 04-21-09 22:45
Dont know where you live, but ellis binghams in castleford have demo skis that you can take onto the ski dome thing. Not sure if this is avalible all year round or just in the ski season. Worth seeing if anyone offers the same thing where you are. |
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.67.15.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 04-21-09 23:54
thanks sam, im out in the sticks abit! i know there planning a ski place in ipswitch ? think so any how! i think what im gathering from topic is shorter the ski the eaiser the turn,untill the you need to be a very good skier to control the speed?
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.63.116.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 05-17-09 22:32
bump, |
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Author : fraser (---.forallhlchlc.org)
posts : 617
Date : 05-18-09 18:51
jimbob if i read this right your 5'10'' so 160's will suit you fine, then its a question of how deep are your pockets, dont go for race skiis but both Ellis B and Snow and Rock have a 'points system' find out what your skill level is and then have a look at the options.
as for ipswich snoasis is due but not till about 2012 and its going to be the largest in europe, they have a website that will give you all the info you need!! glad its not on my door step id be broke and divorced double quick time!!!! |
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Author : kiwi1 (---.cable.ubr18.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 661
Date : 05-26-09 20:16
You guys need to stop refering to skis as carvers. All modern skis will carve to a degree.
Simple breakdown (not including kids skis)
Slalom Skis = short radious turns. Designed for Piste. love hardpack and Ice. Normally height of chin to nose. Most SL skis are around 155-165cm
GS Skis = larger radious turns. (FIS reg is 27m). Love speed, piste, hardpack and Ice. Normally measure forehead and up. Most GS race skis are around 190cm.
Skier X = Most are a GS hybrid so above applies
On Piste Recreation = mixture of a SL and GS. Normally without steel in construction so much more forgiving and can handle most on piste conditions. measure normally from chin to forehead. This is what most people refer to as carvers. Can be any length from kids ski lengths up.
All Mountain = What is says on the Tin. Will ski all over the mountain but not anywhere the best ie not as good on hard pack as a SL ski or as good in the powder as a powder ski. Can be twin tip or flat tail if you ski more on piste you'll prob buy shorter if you ski more off piste go longer. Normally fatter than 80mm underfoot.
Park Skis = Sometimes fall into all mountain catagory. Allways twin tip. If people use them for indoors they normally ski short (about eye level) if in the mountain ski the same height as rider. Normally very soft in flex so not great on piste.
Freeride/big mountain = For mostly off piste. Can be twin tip or flat. Measure from skier height up. Likes speed and powder. Normally measure 90mm underfoot and up.
Powder = Big and fat and where its at!!!!!!!!!!! Tall for stabililty and Fat for float.
Just a rough guide missed loads out like mogul, DH, SuperG etc etc but as said, its a rough guide and most recreational skiers fall into the on piste rec/ all mtn catagories.
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Author : jimbobski (---.40.108.169.sub.mbb.three.co.uk)
posts : 108
Date : 05-26-09 22:53
erm im probly even more confused now then when i first asked! thakks kewi1 sounds like you know your stuff,cheers to fraser, i like a longer ski for speed? but ive been caught out a couple of times now!think im gonna down size this year and try to control my tecnique,spose speed without being able to ski is erm bit dangerious. |
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Author : kiwi1 (---.cable.ubr18.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 661
Date : 05-27-09 10:50
Jimbobski. When looking to buy skis first ask yourself what you want from the skis and what sort of sking you want to do.
If you want to try a bit of off piste but spend most of your time on the mountain search for all mountain skis. If you type all mountain skis into google it will bring up loads of options. As for length. If you want to stay mostly on piste go shorter (nose to forehead) but the faster you go or the more off piste you do you do you'll want to go longer for stability.
Most shops know what they are talking about. Have a look at magizines but dont read too much into magizine reviews as in many cases the companies who spend the most on advertising get the best reviews. Inderpendent reviews are always the best.
Probably the best way to buy is to demo first. In the UK most of the indoor slopes have shops nearby that have test skis so you can demo first. If they charge for this they will normally take it of the price of the skis if you buy. |
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Author : kiwi1 (---.cable.ubr18.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 661
Date : 05-27-09 11:25
Sorry. Second paragraph should read.
If you want to try a bit of off piste but spend most of your time on the piste search for all mountain skis.
Doh |
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Author : fraser (---.forallhlchlc.org)
posts : 617
Date : 05-27-09 11:30
or get both |
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Author : kiwi1 (---.cable.ubr18.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 661
Date : 05-27-09 12:24
Fraser. Yup quivers are the way to go. Go fat for the powder 100mm underfoot plus then get a pair of GS skis for the piste and ice. |
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Author : fraser (---.forallhlchlc.org)
posts : 617
Date : 05-27-09 15:29
im looking forward to some off piste instruction from steve c next year, gonna make sure ive got a distress beacon |
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Author : kiwi1 (---.cable.ubr18.brad.blueyonder.co.uk)
posts : 661
Date : 05-27-09 16:36
Fraser, if you need a transceiver drop me a line and I'll sort you out. You've got my details. |
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Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 2372
Date : 05-27-09 18:57
Fras.... come on, wheres your sense of adventure
Anyway, Kiwi's going to supply me with a jet-pack, for when the going gets tough (or when i get lost again  )
I don't know ???? one simple little mistake that anyone could have made  and do people forget ??? no... It was only Canski that i nearly killed for gods sake, womenkind would have thanked me.. |
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